>From TweakXP:>>You can now download Windows XP Service Pack 2 FINAL directly>from Microsoft at the following link: >>http://www.tweakxp.com/DisplayNews.aspx?id=18447That is the IT / multiple network computer download. NOT, the home PC version. Why waste time downloading and/or installing a bunch of crap you don't need?? Could this be the reason so many have problems? They "think" they know what they need but don't really???

:-outta

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"My daddy gives me up, to fight for you"- a US Military Members Child

You know Jeroen, it wouldnt kill you to tone down the obnoxious tone.

I don't have a clue what your talking about. I downloaded and installed SP2 from this link and haven't experienced ANY problems. Also haven't noticed any extra "crap" I don't need.....if I do, I'll always have the option to remove it.

if a program can't listen it can't talk :)Especially trojans wait for a command (they listen) and then send (talk) in response to that.Combined with AV software and a bit of common sense you should be fine.

Definitely waiting a few weeks until the excitement over SP2 calms down before I even consider downloading it. I have a router and software firewall on all PCs to keep out unwanted intruders and I don't want Microsoft buggering up any of my currently installed progs (including FS2004). Will sit back and wait to see what happens to other peoples systems before I install.Adam

Well, it's obvious you know little, or at least not enough, about the nature of the threats presented by modern-day Trojans. All I can suggest is that you read a little more and pay particular attention to the mechanics of those Trojans which can be injected into a computer system as a module of a legitimate application (for example, your browser) and thus gain the privileges needed for it to connect to the hacker who configured the Trojan. Or those Trojans which can reconfigure themselves as a legitimate module once injected and simply use any port available to the application for outgoing communication. Not all the "bad guys" listen first :-) .Doug

I downloaded the SP2 and installed it, so far, no problem, my FS even improves with the FPS! but the Windows Security Alerts is annoying IMO.

Exactly, Doug, exactly. So then the question begs to be asked: Why hasn't MS equipped their Windows OS' with a two-way firewall? The whole raison d'etre behind the release of SP2 has been hyped as a 'security plug', yet a fundamental like two-way firewall is still lacking. Unbelievable.

Without a two-way firewall, how do you know what is 'talking'? Just because there are legitimate programs calling home, that doesn't mean I _want_ them calling out. With a two-way firewall, I can gauge and control _what_ is allowed to 'talk'. Your last sentence is moot, sir....if common sense were applied with respect to internet usage, we wouldn't need this thread.

If you are satisfied that you have adequate security protection you can turn off the monitoring altogether. StartRunservices.msc then scroll down to the Security Center listing, doubleclick it, and under Startup Type select Disabled. Doug

"So then the question begs to be asked: Why hasn't MS equipped their Windows OS' with a two-way firewall?" Well, good question. I think the answer is that it's too difficult for the average home user to deal with the outgoing blocks. As you know, there is a bit of a learning curve with a good firewall and Joe Average user just isn't going to bother. I guess I can't really fault MS for leaving it out as to include it would create a support nightmare. But they are sure not going to admit that there is still a major security flaw with the new-and-more-secure-IE :-) .Doug

I'm a little confused. After installing SP2 whenever a program initially attempts to communicate outside it's blocked and a pop up appears asking if I want to exclude the program or permanently block it......isn't this a two way firewall?

That doesn't appear to be a message from the Windows Firewall. Do you have any other type of security or firewall software installed? From the MS SP2 deployment document: "Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) includes the Windows Firewall, a replacement for the feature previously known as the Internet Connection Firewall (ICF). Windows Firewall is a stateful host firewall that drops all unsolicited incoming traffic that does not correspond to either traffic sent in response to a request of the computer (solicited traffic) or unsolicited traffic that has been specified as allowed (excepted traffic). This behavior of Windows Firewall provides a level of protection from malicious users and programs that use unsolicited incoming traffic to attack computers. With the exception of some Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) messages, Windows Firewall does not drop outgoing traffic." Also, from an MS white paper on SP2 security: "Windows Firewall, a stateful filtering firewall previously known as Internet Connection Firewall (ICF), increases protection against probes that scan for information on open ports and active IP addresses, and denies all unsolicited inbound traffic. It allows outbound traffic to flow normally, and automatic

I think what the firewall is doing is it sees an application on the user's computer opening a port to accept incoming sockets. If the app/port is not in the "exception" list, it then asks the user what to do.When SP2 installs, you have the option of turning on the firewall with exceptions enabled. When the exceptions are enabled, a lot of software will be automatically in the "white list" since SP2 is aware of it.The SP2 firewall will allow an application to connect to a socket on the outside without any protection. I think it just protects against data coming in (even if an app is opening a port for data).Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Just a word of caution - MS itself has stated that the new security *may* break some existing applications. There are several business software packages that I use that have mailed out warnings NOT to install SP2 as it will cause their products to stop working.MS is working with these developers to get everything in line but it might pay to check before installing SP2.I have *heard* that multiplayer FS9 has a problem but I have no personal knowledge of same so YMMV.My guess is that it will be a good thing and will ultimately be compatible with the major software packages but until then, I'll stay wih what I have.Just MHO,VicVisit the Virtual Pilot's Centerwww.flightadventures.comhttp://www.hifisim.com/images/as2004proudsupporter.jpg